Terminal forming &amp; terminating apparatus

ABSTRACT

A compact, conveniently manipulable, multistage terminating apparatus arranged to successively selectively form terminating devices from generally flat, pre-blanked, deformable, interconnected elements readily storable therewithin. A first die stage is arranged to suitably deform a portion of a flat element fed thereto into a wire receiving ferrule which may then be crimped about an article inserted therein at a second or terminating die stage. Guide and feed means are appropriately disposed adjacent the reciprocally operable, progressive die sets for directively advancing a length of the deformable elements therethrough. Severing means are provided for separating a selective one of the terminated elements from the remainder thereof. The elements may be conveniently stored in and dispensed from storage means disposed adjacent the guide means.

nite States Patent 1 1 3,753,279 Eppler 5] Aug. 21, 1973 TERMINAL FORMING & TERMINATING Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager APPARATUS [75] inventor: Daniel Eppler, Toms River, NJ. [73] Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation,

Elizabeth, NJ.

[22] Filed: Apr. 13, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 133,555

52 us. Cl .L 29/203 1) [51] Int. Cl H01r-43/04 [58] Field of Search 29/203 D, 203 DT,

29/203 S, 203 R, 203 P, 33 M [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,264,860 8/1966 Herb 29/203 D Attorney-David Teschner and Jesse Woldmsn ABSTRACT A compact, conveniently manipulable, multistage terminating apparatus arranged to successively selectively form terminating devices from generally flat, preblanked, deformable, interconnected elements readily storable therewithin. A first die stage is arranged to suitably deform a portion of a flat element fed thereto into a wire receiving ferrule which may then be crimped about an article inserted therein at a second or terminating die stage. Guide and feed means are appropriately disposed adjacent the reciprocally operable, progressive die sets for directively advancing a length of the deformable elements therethrough. Severing means are provided for separating a selective one of the terminated elements from the remainder thereof. The elements may be conveniently stored in and dispensed from storage means disposed adjacent the guide means.

19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 21, 1973 3,753,279

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

DANIEL EPPLER AGENT Patented Aug. 21, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet I 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

Patented Aug. 21, 1973 3,753,279

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 TERMINAL FORMING & TERMINATING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is directed to the field of tools and principally to means for terminating wires or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Wire terminating devices, according to the prior art, generally comprised, in one form, a relatively large, expensive, highly complex machine adapted for high production operation, often necessitating the use of a discrete, generally'remote work area, with the accompanying expense and inconvenience associated therewith. For field applications, or other instances where a relatively portable tool was either necessary or highly desirable to effect the termination of articles such as conductors or the like, such apparatus was generally confined to limitingly adaptable hand operated devices requiring an inconveniently transportable supply of preformed terminals or connectors having at least partially complete component portions individually fed thereto, resulting in an undesirably slow, time-consuming and expensive operation. Prior art attempts to at least partially alleviate the above limitations and difficulties generally comprised storage means of one type or another, arranged to accommodate a sufficient supply of such terminals or connectors in reel or spool form and readily accessible for use in conjunction with such tools. However, because of the bulkiness and relative non-conformability of the at least partially complete spooled or reeled pre-formed elements, the resulting space-consuming configuration was found to be generally inconvenient and unacceptable in use, such arrangements being therefore limited for use with the larger, generally nonportable terminating apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention overcomes the problems and limitations noted above with respect to such prior act devices by providing a compact, multistage terminal forming and terminating apparatus adapted for use with selectively pre-blanked, interconnected, generally flat deformable elements which may be readily stored therewithin, resulting in a highly versatile apparatus that is more convenient, useful, and efficient than such devices. Suitably coupled to one end of a reciprocating drive means selectively operable adjacent a frame is the movable member of each of a pair of spaced, preferably adjustable die sets, each of which is appropriately contoured to at least partially deform a selectively preblanked deformable element disposed therewithin. A suitably articulated feed mechanism employing a resiliently-biased pawl member is appropriately disposed beneath, and operatively coupled to a slotted guide member depending outwardly from the frame generally adjacent the die sets and responsive to the drive means, the pawl being arranged for reciprocal movement within the guide member and operative upon the cooperative engagement of a further portion of the feed mechanism with an appropriately disposed protruding member extending from the frame adjacent the feed mechanism. Severing means comprising preferably a pair of cooperable blade members which may be conveniently disposed intermediate the die sets are provided to sever a selected one of a plurality of interconnected deformable elements from the remainder thereof as such element is advanced therethrough. The apparatus may be suitably provided with storage means appropriately arranged adjacent the guide member in preferably overlapping arrangement therewith, to conveniently retain therein an adequate supply of deformable, interconnected, pre-blanked generally flat elements in a compact, preferably spool-like form, said elements being appropriately arranged for rapid dispensing therefrom and advancement along said guide member towards the forming die sets. The movable member of the first of the two die sets is further provided with a movable anvil portion which may be either reciprocatingly or pivotally coupled thereto. Carn engaging means extending outwardly from the anvil portion is arranged for operative engagement with apreferably adjustable cam member affixed to the frame of the apparatus to permit the selectively controlled advance of the anvil portion of the die set towards the opposing stationary die member as the movable member is brought in proximity thereto. The forming portions of each die set may be variously configured to effect the desired deformation of an element introduced therebetween, wherein the first die stage may be appropriately arranged to impart a generally arcuate shape to a selective portion of the element, to provide a wire receiving cavity which, upon the transfer-of the element to the second die stage, may be further deformed about, for example, one or more wires inserted therein to effect a coupling or termination thereof. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide on improved terminating apparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide a multistage article terminating apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a compact, conveniently manipulable, high capacity terminal applying apparatus.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a compact, conveniently manipulable, terminating apparatus for selectively forming and terminating preblanked, deformable flat stock.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a multistage, compact, article terminating apparatus having reciprocably operable, progressive die means arranged to successively form pre-blanked flat stock introduced therein.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved terminating apparatus having guide, feed, and storage means for dispensing, from a contained quantity thereof, a length of pre-blanked, deformable, interconnected elements to a multistage forming and terminating means.

Other objects and features will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode contemplated for carrying it out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. l is a perspective view, partly in section, of various operative elements of a terminal forming and terminating apparatus constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a terminal forming and terminating apparatus constructed in accordance with the concepts of the inventron.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partly in section, of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the first die set of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the die set shown in FIG. 4, in an advanced position.

FIG. 6 is a front clevational view of the second die set of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the die set shown in FIG. 6 in an advanced position.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly in section, of another embodiment of a first die set of a terminal forming and terminating apparatus constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a length of interconnected, pre-blanked deformable elements as successively formed in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

Similar elements are given similar reference character in each of the respective drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 7, there is shown a terminal forming and terminating apparatus constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Disposed within a frame 22 and reciprocally operative with respect thereto is a generally cylindrical drive means 24 connectable to a suitable power source (not shown) which may include, for example, manual, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical means or the like, as convenient or desirable. Afiixed to a first end 26 of drive means 24 is a support 28 to which is suitably coupled a first member 30 of a first die set 32 and a first member 34 of a second die set 36. Complementary, mating second members 38, 40, respectively, of first and second die sets 32 and 36 are coupled to the upper portion 42 of frame 22 in axially aligned relationship with their respective mating members, for cooperable engagement therewith. Disposed within an appropriately recessed portion 46, of the first member 30 of first die set 32 and arranged in slidable relation therewith is a reciprocating anvil portion 44 (FIG. 4), selectively contoured to provide a mating cavity 48 for the receipt therein of the complementary extending portion 50 of the second member 38, cavity 48 and extending portion 50 defining, essentially, the female and male portion, respectively, of die set 32. The mating portions 48 and 50 of die set 32, although illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 as selectively arranged to impart a generally U- shaped configuration to a deformable element such as 52 interposed therebetween, may be readily configuratively modified to appropriately form other suitable, contours such as V, double U, 0, or other commonly employed wire receiving cavity shapes, where necessary or desirable. Operatively coupled to the anvil portion 44 of first die set 32 is a cam engaging portion 54 having a slotted first end 56 arranged to slidably engage a pivot pin 58 extending transversely through anvil portion 44. The second end 60 of cam engaging portion 54 is selectively arranged to contact a cam means 62 coupled to frame 22, as the first member 30 of die set 32 is advanced towards the mating second member 38 thereof.

Extending laterally outwardly from first member 30, adjacent its anvil portion 44 is a pin 64 selectively arranged to be appropriately received within a generally transverse aperture 66 disposed generally intermediate the length of cam engaging means 54, providing a pivot therefore about which said means 54 may rotate. Pin 64 may be either fixedly coupled to cam engaging means 54 and rotatable within a suitably configured aperture (not shown) in first member 30, or alternatively fixedly coupled to first member 30 and rotatably engageable within aperture 66 in cam engaging means 54, as desired, either arrangement being equally effective for the purpose set forth herein. As may be more clearly seen in FIG. 5, upon the advance of first member 30 of die set 32 towards second member 38, the second end 60 of cam engaging means 54 is urged into contacting engagement with cam means 62, causing means 54 to be angularly displaced in a clockwise direction, substantially as shown. The anvil portion 44 of first member 30, being operatively coupled to the first end 56 of cam engaging means 54, is thus slidingly displaced within the first member recess 46 towards second member 38 in cooperative response to the angular movement of cam engaging means 54. An element 52, shown initially disposed adjacent the cavity 48 in anvil portion 44 in FIG. 4, may thus be selectively deformed thereinto as the extending portion 50 of second member 38 enters cavity 48. Cam means 62 may be advantageously provided with an adjusting means such'as threaded member 67 extending therethrough, to selectively control the displacement of anvil portion 44, by varying the angular displacement of cam engaging means 54 upon the contact of its second end 60 with the extending end 68 of threaded member 67. The first member 30 of die set 32 may be appropriately modified, as shown, for example, in FIG. 8, wherein the anvil portion 70 ofa first die member is coupled to a first end 72 of a cam engaging means 74 pivotally coupled to a support 76 affixed to a reciprocating drive means 78. As drive means 78 is advanced upwardly towards the top of FIG. 8, a portion of cam engaging means 74 adjacent the second end 82 thereof is urged into contact with the extending end 68 of the cam means threaded member 67, causing anvil portion 70 of first die member 80 to be angularly displaced toward a complementary mating extending portion 84 of a second die member 86, to effect the selective deformation of an element such as 52 interposed therebetween in a manner similar to that heretofore described. It should be readily apparent that each of the anvil portions 44 (FIG. 4) and 74 (FIG. 8) may be dispositively arranged in relatively fixed relation to their respective first die members 30, 80, where necessary or desirable, without departing from the spirit of the invention, the movable interrelationship therebetween uniquely affording additional, highly desirable versatility and control in the operation thereof. The first and second die members 34 and 40, respectively of the second die set 36 (FIGS. 6 and 7) are selectively arranged to receive the partially deformed element 52 therebetween upon its transfer from the first die set 32. For purposes of illustration, element 52 is shown adjacent the first die member 34, in FIG. 6, after the deformation of a selective portion thereof within first die set 32 to define a generally U- shaped wire receiving cavity 88. As drive means 24 is reciprocatingly displaced upwardly, in the direction indicated by arrow (FIG. 7), first die member 34 is advanced towards its mating second die member 40, firmly crimping the U-shaped portion of element 52 about the respective ends 92 of one or more wires such as 94 (FIG. 2) disposed within cavity 88, thereby effecting a convenient and rapid termination thereof. As drive means 24 is reciprocably retracted in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 90, die members 34 and 40 are caused to separate, permitting the terminated assembly to be removed therefrom in preparation for the nex'toperation. The second die member 40 may be made readily adjustable by providing adjusting means such as threaded bolt 96 (FIG. 2) extending through an appropriately dimensioned aperture 98 in frame 22 and engaging a threaded recess 98 in the second die member 40 to permit the selective longitudinal displacement thereof within a suitably arranged passage 100 in frame 22. It should be readily appreciated that either of the die members'40 or 34 may be made adjustable without departing from the spirit of the invention, and within the concepts herein disclosed, and may be further modified to effect a variety of crimping configurations other than that shown in FIG. 7. Interposed intermediate first and second die sets 32 and 36 respectively, are severing means (FIG. 2) comprising a first blade 102 operatively coupled to support 28, and a second blade 104 operatively coupled to frame 22 and disposed in generally parallel, spaced offset relationship with blade 102, wherein as support 28 is advanced upwardly, towards the top of FIG. 2, under the influence of drive means 24, blades 102 and 104 are brought cooperatively together in cutting relationship, severing a desired deformable element 52 from the remainder thereof. Although two blades are shown, other equally effective arrangements may be suitably provided, comprising, for example, merely a single blade and an anvil arranged in opposing, spaced relationship therewith.

Extending outwardly from support 28 and coupled thereto is a guide means 106 (FIG. 2) comprising a guide slot 108 selectively proportioned to receive a length of deformable elements 52 for guidance towards the die sets 32 and 40. A resilient, spring-like member 110, attached to guide means 106 generally adjacent the terminating end of slot 108, is arranged to successively bear against and selectively partially restrain each element 52 as it exits from slot 108 and is advanced towards first die set 32. An articulated feed means 112 (FIG. 2) comprising a preferably bifurcated, resiliently biased pawl member 114 is pivotally coupled to a generally elongated slide member 116 adjacent a first end 118 thereof. A pin 120, extending from the first end 118 of slide member 116 is arranged for slidable engagement within generally elongated, longitudinally extending slot 122 disposed in a slide 148 in guide 106. Pivotally coupled to a second end 124 of slide member 116 is a resiliently biased, pivotable tail member 126 having a free end 128 arranged for cooperative contacting engagement with an extending portion 130 of a cam 132 preferably adjustably coupled to frame 22. Tail member 126 is further rotatably coupled to a support portion 134 extending from guide means 106 through a pin 136 extending from tail member 126 generally intermediate the ends thereof and appropriately engaging the support portion 134. In use, upon the upward or forming stroke of drive means 24, the free end 128 of tail member 126 is carried away from cam 132, and, under the biasing influence of a spring 144, tail member 126 is caused to at least partially rotate in a counterclockwise direction, urging slide member 116 rearwardly towards the left in FIG.

2, pin being directionally guided within slot 122 of guide means 106. Pawl member 114, being coupled to slide member 116, iscaused to follow the movement thereof, and is deflected downwardly and against the underside of the strip of interconnected elements 52 upon its rearward travel, the free end 146 of pawl member 114 emerging directly behind a pre-selected one of the elements 52 upon the completion of the rearward travel of slide member 116. On the downward or release stroke of drive means 24, the free end 128 of tail member 126 is brought into contacting engagement with the extending portion of cam 132, causing member 126 to rotate about pin 136 in a clockwise direction, compressing spring 144 and advancing slide member 116 and pawl member 114 towards the right in FIG. 2. As pawl member 114 advances the free end 146 thereof is caused to bear against an adjacent edge of one of the interconnected elements 52, slidably advancing the strip thereof towards the terminating dies 32 and 40. Slide 148 is arranged for sliding adjustment within an appropriately recessed portion 150 of guide means 106. An adjusting screw 152 extends longitudinally through an aperture 154 in the end 156 of slide 148 remote from slot 122 and threadably engages a suitably threaded passage 157 in guide means 106, permitting the positional adjustment of slot 122 and the consequent desirable selective control of the rearward extent of travel of pawl member 114.

It wil be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other suitable feed arrangements may be effectively employed within the concepts herein disclosed, and without departing from the spirit of the invention, such devices including, by way of example, rotary mechanisms, sprochet drives, spring members or the like, which may be suitably positioned either above or below guide means 106.

Extending above guide means 106 is a storage means 138 comprising essentially an outer housing 140 within which is generally centrally disposed a support 142 adapted to receive a preferably spooled stock of substantially flat deformable elements such as 52 thereover. A pre-determined length of interconnected elements 52 may thus be either conveniently wound about support 142 and appropriately fed into slot 108 of guide means 106, or supplied in pre-wound form in a cartridge or similar item rotatably securable within storage means 138, thus affording a rapid and convenient means for loading apparatus 20 and insuring an adequate supply of deformable elements therefor. It should be readily apparent that the storage means 138, although affording added convenience and versatility to apparatus 20, may be readily eleminated therefrom, if necessary or desirable, without affecting the operational effectiveness thereof, where, for example, a supply of elements such as 52 containable within guide slot 108 and fed via the open end 139 thereof is adequate for the particular use contemplated, or where such supply is dispensed from means external to apparatus 20 through the open end 139 of slot 108.

Turning now to FIG. 9 there is shown a modified form of a pre-blanked element 158 suitable for use in conjunction with apparatus 20. As the strip of preblanked elements 158 are advanced towards and into the forming and terminating stages, indicated respectively as 160, 162, the deformable portions 164 thereof are appropriately sequentially formed into, first, preferably a wire receiving portion 168 within stage and then crimped about a desired portion of an article such as wire 166 disposed within portion 168 at stage 162, the finally formed element 158 being suitably severed from the remaining elements to provide a completed assembly substantially as shown, stages 160 and 162 being representative of first die set 32 and second die set 40, respectively, of apparatus 20. Either of the elements 52 or 158 may be suitably modified, where necessary or desirable, to provide various other arrangements equally adaptable for use in conjunction with apparatus 20. For example, elements 52 may either be appropriately slotted or notched to provide two or more discreetly deformable segments, or suitably arranged in substantially adjacent parallel strips selectively deformable within a multiple-headed die set. Elemerits 158 may be readily modified to provide, for example, and for purposes of illustration only, a spade, fork-tongue or other suitably configured notched or apertured segment adjacent the deformable portion thereof.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Terminal forming and terminating apparatus comprising: a frame, reciprocable drive means operative adjacent said frame; a first die set having a first member and a second member; a second die set having a first member and a second member, said second die set being disposed substantially adjacent said first die set; means for coupling said first member of said first die set and said first member of said second die set to said drive means; guide means disposed adjacent said first and said second die sets for directing a length of substantially flat, interconnected deformable elements thereto; feed means operatively coupled to said drive means for advancing a length of substantially flat, interconnected deformable elements along said guide means; and severing means disposed adjacent said first and said second die sets and operable by said drive means for severing a desired deformable element from a length thereof; said first die set being arranged to partially selectively deform a deformable element disposed therein; said second die set being arranged to further selectively deform a deformable element disposed therein about a selective portion of an article disposed within such partially deformed element and after the deformation of such element in said first die set.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said severing means comprises at least one blade member.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means is operatively coupled to said drive means and is reciprocal therewith.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed means is arranged for reciprocating movement adjacent said guide means.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising storage means disposed generally adjacent said guide means and selectively arranged to permit the dispensing therefrom of a length of substantially flat, interconnected deformable elements towards said guide means.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed means comprises pawl means, and said guide means has an elongated slot arranged to receive said pawl means therein.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first die'set first member further comprises an anvil portion reciprocatingly movable therewithin.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said anvil portion further comprises a cam engaging portion, and said frame has attached thereto cam means cooperably engageable with said cam engaging portion upon the reciprocating movement of said drive means.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first die set first member further comprises an anvil portion pivotally coupled thereto.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said anvil portion further comprises a cam engaging portion, and said frame has attached'thereto cam means cooperably engageable with said cam engaging portion upon the reciprocating movement of said drive means.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and said second die sets are disposed in substantially colinear alignment.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and said second members of said first die set are selectively configured to impart a generally arcuate form to a selective portion ofa deformable element disposed therebetween.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising adjusting means cooperatively engageable with said feed means for selectively controlling the extent of travel thereof.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means and said feed means are operatively coupled to said drive means and movable therewith, said feed means being arranged for reciprocating movement adjacent said guide means.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 further comprising storage means disposed generally adjacent said guide means and selectively arranged to permit the dispensing therefrom of a length of substantially flat, interconnected deformable elements towards said guide means.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said feed means comprises pawl means, and said guide means has an elongated slot arranged to receive said pawl means therein.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said first and said second die sets are disposed in substantially colinear alignment.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said severing means comprises at least one blade member disposed generally intermediate said first and said second die sets.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 further comprising die adjusting means engageable with said second die set second member to effect a selective positional variation thereof. 

1. Terminal forming and terminating apparatus comprising: a frame, reciprocable drive means operative adjacent said frame; a first die set having a first member and a second member; a second die set having a first member and a second member, said second die set being disposed substantially adjacent said first die set; means for coupling said first member of said first die set and said first member of said second die set to said drive means; guide means disposed adjacent said first and said second die sets for directing a length of substantially flat, interconnected deformable elements thereto; feed means operatively coupled to said drive means for advancing a length of substantially flat, interconnected deformable elements along said guide means; and severing means disposed adjacent said first and said second die sets and operable by said drive means for severing a desired deformable element from a length thereof; said first die set being arranged to partially selectively deform a deformable element disposed therein; said second die set being arranged to further selectively deform a deformable element disposed therein about a selective portion of An article disposed within such partially deformed element and after the deformation of such element in said first die set.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said severing means comprises at least one blade member.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means is operatively coupled to said drive means and is reciprocal therewith.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed means is arranged for reciprocating movement adjacent said guide means.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising storage means disposed generally adjacent said guide means and selectively arranged to permit the dispensing therefrom of a length of substantially flat, interconnected deformable elements towards said guide means.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed means comprises pawl means, and said guide means has an elongated slot arranged to receive said pawl means therein.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first die set first member further comprises an anvil portion reciprocatingly movable therewithin.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said anvil portion further comprises a cam engaging portion, and said frame has attached thereto cam means cooperably engageable with said cam engaging portion upon the reciprocating movement of said drive means.
 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first die set first member further comprises an anvil portion pivotally coupled thereto.
 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said anvil portion further comprises a cam engaging portion, and said frame has attached thereto cam means cooperably engageable with said cam engaging portion upon the reciprocating movement of said drive means.
 11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and said second die sets are disposed in substantially colinear alignment.
 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and said second members of said first die set are selectively configured to impart a generally arcuate form to a selective portion of a deformable element disposed therebetween.
 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising adjusting means cooperatively engageable with said feed means for selectively controlling the extent of travel thereof.
 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means and said feed means are operatively coupled to said drive means and movable therewith, said feed means being arranged for reciprocating movement adjacent said guide means.
 15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 further comprising storage means disposed generally adjacent said guide means and selectively arranged to permit the dispensing therefrom of a length of substantially flat, interconnected deformable elements towards said guide means.
 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said feed means comprises pawl means, and said guide means has an elongated slot arranged to receive said pawl means therein.
 17. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said first and said second die sets are disposed in substantially colinear alignment.
 18. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said severing means comprises at least one blade member disposed generally intermediate said first and said second die sets.
 19. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 further comprising die adjusting means engageable with said second die set second member to effect a selective positional variation thereof. 